Joint vapor chamber assembly with vapor chambers connected by extension wick layer

ABSTRACT

A joint vapor chamber assembly with vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer is provided. The vapor chambers each have therein a closed space being a vacuum and filled with a working liquid. The joint vapor chamber assembly includes: a base having a first recess, second recess, liquid flow channel and gaseous flow channel in communication with each other; an upper lid coupled to the base to jointly form the closed space, the closed space including the first and second recesses, liquid and gaseous flow channels; a wick structure disposed in the closed space and facing the first and second recesses; an extension wick layer filling the liquid flow channel partially to prevent any gas from entering the first and second recesses via the liquid flow channel. Two ends of the extension wick layer extend from the liquid flow channel to come into contact with the wick structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to heat-dissipating devices and, more particularly, to a joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional loop vapor chambers are well known. US 2016/0128234, entitled COOLING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, discloses two vapor chambers, namely a heat receiver and a heat sink. The heat receiver and the heat sink are connected by an air tube and a liquid tube to form a loop vapor chamber operating by gas-liquid separation. The air tube and the liquid tube connect the heat receiver and the heat sink by welding.

However, the aforesaid process has drawbacks as follows: (1) poor quality control, (2) low yields, and (3) fragile points of welding, which predispose the vapor chambers to damage in the event of collisions or long use, thereby shortening their service life.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present disclosure to provide a joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer such that the joint vapor chamber assembly has enhanced heat dissipation efficiency.

In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present disclosure provides a joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer, the vapor chambers each having therein a closed space being a vacuum and being filled with a working liquid, the joint vapor chamber assembly comprising: a base comprising a first recess, a second recess, a liquid flow channel and a gaseous flow channel in communication with each other; an upper lid coupled to the base to jointly form the closed space, the closed space including the first recess, the second recess, the liquid flow channel and the gaseous flow channel; a wick structure disposed in the closed space and corresponding in position to the first recess and the second recess; and an extension wick layer formed in the liquid flow channel, with the liquid flow channel partially filled with the extension wick layer to prevent any gas from flowing within the first recess and the second recess via the liquid flow channel, wherein two ends of the extension wick layer extend from the liquid flow channel to come into contact with the wick structure.

Therefore, a joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer according to the present disclosure guides the quick return of a liquid working fluid and thus achieves enhanced heat dissipation efficiency.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer according to the first preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the joint vapor chamber assembly taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the joint vapor chamber assembly taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the joint vapor chamber assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the joint vapor chamber assembly of FIG. 4, with an upper lid and a first wick layer removed;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer according to the second preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the joint vapor chamber assembly of FIG. 6, with the upper lid and the first wick layer removed;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer according to the third preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the joint vapor chamber assembly of FIG. 8, with an upper lid and a first wick layer removed;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the joint vapor chamber assembly of FIG. 10, with an upper lid and a first wick layer removed; and

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Technical features of the present disclosure are hereunder illustrated with preferred embodiments, depicted by the accompanying drawings, and described in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 5, the first preferred embodiment of the present disclosure provides a joint vapor chamber assembly 10 with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer. A closed space 115 in each vapor chamber is a vacuum and is filled with a working liquid. The joint vapor chamber assembly essentially comprises a base 11, an upper lid 12, an extension wick layer 17 and a wick structure. In this embodiment, the wick structure comprises a first wick layer 13, a second wick layer 14, a third wick layer 15, and a fourth wick layer 16. In another embodiment, the wick structure can have less or more layers, and their arrangement within a closed space is not restricted to the disclosure of this embodiment.

The base 11 comprises a first recess 111, a second recess 112, a liquid flow channel 113, and a gaseous flow channel 114. The first recess 111, the second recess 112, the liquid flow channel 113, and the gaseous flow channel 114 are coplanar. The first recess 111, the second recess 112, the liquid flow channel 113, and the gaseous flow channel 114 are in communication with each other.

The first recess 111, the second recess 112, the liquid flow channel 113, and the gaseous flow channel 114 are coplanar. In another embodiment, the first recess 111, the second recess 112, the liquid flow channel 113, and the gaseous flow channel 114 lie in different planes, or with some lying in the same plane and the others lying in different planes. In another embodiment, the first recess 111, second recess 112, liquid flow channel 113 and gaseous flow channel 114 have their respective bottom surfaces lying in different planes.

The upper lid 12 is coupled to the base 11 and corresponds in outline to the first recess 111, the second recess 112, the liquid flow channel 113 and the gaseous flow channel 114. The upper lid 12, the first recess 111, the second recess 112, the liquid flow channel 113 and the gaseous flow channel 114 jointly form a closed space 115.

In this embodiment, the base 11 and the upper lid 12 each form an integrally formed structure by CNC or a means of etching. In another embodiment, the integrally formed structures are formed by another means of processing or formed by two different means of processing, respectively.

The first wick layer 13 is made from metal mesh or sintered copper powder. In this embodiment, the first wick layer 13 is made from sintered copper powder and formed on the upper lid 12 in such a manner to face the first recess 111.

The second wick layer 14 is made from metal mesh or sintered copper powder. In this embodiment, the second wick layer 14 is made from sintered copper powder and formed on the upper lid 12 in such a manner to face the second recess 112.

The third wick layer 15 is made from metal mesh or sintered copper powder. In this embodiment, the third wick layer 15 is made from sintered copper powder, formed on the base 11, and disposed in the first recess 111.

The fourth wick layer 16 is made from metal mesh or sintered copper powder. In this embodiment, the fourth wick layer 16 is made from sintered copper powder, formed on the base 11, and disposed in the second recess 112.

The first wick layer 13, the second wick layer 14, the third wick layer 15 and the fourth wick layer 16 have a plurality of raised portions 131, 141, 151, 161, respectively. The raised portions 131, 141, 151, 161 are provided in the form of solid copper lumps or made from sintered copper powder. The raised portions 131, 141, 151, 161 are not only abuttingly disposed between the first wick layer 13 and the third wick layer 15 but also abuttingly disposed between the second wick layer 14 and the fourth wick layer 16.

The extension wick layer 17 is made from sintered copper powder and formed in the liquid flow channel 113. The liquid flow channel 113 is partially filled with the extension wick layer 17 to prevent any gas from flowing within the first recess 111 and the second recess 112 via the liquid flow channel 113. Two ends of the extension wick layer 17 not only extend from the liquid flow channel 113 by a predetermined distance but also have two extension segments 171, 172, respectively. The two extension segments 171, 172 extend into the first recess 111 and the second recess 112, respectively. The two ends of the two extension segments 171, 172 extend toward the same side by a predetermined length.

The working liquid in this embodiment is exemplified by pure water (not shown). The pure water adsorbs on the first wick layer 13, the second wick layer 14, the third wick layer 15, the fourth wick layer 16 and the extension wick layer 17 and fills the closed space 115. The gas is herein defined as a gaseous working fluid which a liquid working fluid turns into by absorption of heat.

In this embodiment, the two extension segments 171, 172 extend in such a direction to approach laterally the lengthwise direction of the gaseous flow channel 114. The two extension segments 171, 172 do not come into contact with the inner wall of the first recess 111 and the inner wall of the second recess 112, respectively; instead, the two extension segments 171, 172 are spaced apart from the inner wall of the first recess 111 and the inner wall of the second recess 112, respectively, by an appropriate distance. The extension segment 171 is in contact with the first wick layer 13 and the third wick layer 15, the extension segment 172 is in contact with the second wick layer 13 and the forth wick layer 16.

Structural features of the first preferred embodiment are described above. Operation-related features of the first preferred embodiment are described below.

Given the aforesaid structures, an actual operation process must meet a requirement: a heat-receiving zone is defined as a surface of the upper lid 12, and the first recess 111 corresponds in position to the surface of the upper lid 12. The heat-receiving zone is adapted to come into contact with a heat source and receive heat from the heat source. The heat source is a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, an RF component or any other heat-generating component or module. The module comprises an electronic circuit composed of one or more aforesaid components and any other electronic components.

The aforesaid actual operation process must also meet another requirement: a heat-dissipating zone is defined as a surface of the upper lid 12, and the second recess 112 corresponds in position to the surface of the upper lid 12. The heat-dissipating zone is adapted to come into direct or indirect contact with a heat-dissipating module. The direct contact means that the heat-dissipating module touches the heat-dissipating zone directly, so as to cool down the heat-dissipating zone. The direct contact is usually achieved by heat-dissipating fins or a combination of a fan and heat-dissipating fins. The indirect contact means that the heat-dissipating module cools down the heat-dissipating zone through a fluid without touching the heat-dissipating zone, and the fluid is, for example, an air current generated from a fan. In another embodiment, the heat-dissipating module is provided in the form of heat-dissipating fins, fans, or any other components. Therefore, the heat-dissipating module for use in the present disclosure is not restricted to the aforesaid embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 5, after receiving heat, the heat-receiving zone transfers the heat downward from the upper lid 12 to the first recess 111 such that the liquid working fluid therein absorbs the heat and evaporates into the gaseous working fluid. The gaseous working fluid passes through the gaseous flow channel 114 to thereby enter the second recess 112 corresponding in position to the heat-dissipating zone. Upon its entry into the second recess 112, the gaseous working fluid is cooled down and thus condensed into the liquid working fluid. A plurality of raised portions 141 of the second wick layer 14 is in abutting contact with a plurality of raised portions 161 of the fourth wick layer 16; this, together with the guidance provided by the extension segment 172 of the extension wick layer 17 inside the second recess 112, causes the liquid working fluid to move quickly from the extension wick layer 17 in the liquid flow channel 113 to the extension segment 171 of the extension wick layer 17, enter the first recess 111, and end up in its adsorption to and immersion in the third wick layer 15 and the first wick layer 13, thereby removing heat from the heat source continuously, so as to enhance heat dissipation.

Therefore, according to the present disclosure, what contributes to the smooth return of the liquid working fluid to the first recess 111 corresponding in position to the heat source, speedy heat dissipation and circulation, and enhanced heat dissipation are as follows: the extension wick layer 17 is in contact with the fourth wick layer 16 and the third wick layer 15; a plurality of raised portions 141, 161 and 151, 131 disposed between the second wick layer 14 and the fourth wick layer 16 and disposed between the third wick layer 15 and the first wick layer 13, respectively; and guidance and delivery roles played by the two extension segments 171, 172 of the extension wick layer 17.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the second preferred embodiment of the present disclosure provides a joint vapor chamber assembly 20 with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer, which is substantially identical to that of the first preferred embodiment except for the distinguishing technical features described below.

The base 21 has two gaseous flow channels 214. The first recess 211 and the second recess 212 are disposed between the two gaseous flow channels 214. The liquid flow channel 213 is disposed between the first recess 211 and the second recess 212. The upper lid 22 corresponds in outline to the base 21. Two ends of the extension wick layer 27 not only extend from the liquid flow channel 213 by a predetermined distance but also have two extension segments 271, 272, respectively. The two extension segments 271, 272 extend into the first recess 211 and the second recess 212, respectively. The two ends of the two extension segments 271, 272 extend toward two different sides by a predetermined length, respectively.

The other structural features and achievable advantages of the second preferred embodiment are substantially identical to those of the first preferred embodiment and thus, for the sake of brevity, are not described herein.

Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the third preferred embodiment of the present disclosure provides a joint vapor chamber assembly 30 with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer, which is substantially identical to that of the first preferred embodiment except for the distinguishing technical features described below.

One end of the extension wick layer 37 extends from the liquid flow channel 313 by a predetermined distance. The other end of the extension wick layer 37 has an extension segment 371. The extension segment 371 extends into the first recess 311 without filling the first recess 311 fully. The extension segment 371 has a main segment portion 3711 and a plurality of branch segment portions 3712. The main segment portion 3711 is rectangular. The branch segment portions 3712 are spaced apart from each other and extend from one side of the main segment portion 3711 toward the gaseous flow channel 314.

The other structural features and achievable advantages of the third preferred embodiment are substantially identical to those of the first preferred embodiment and thus, for the sake of brevity, are not described herein.

Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the fourth preferred embodiment of the present disclosure provides a joint vapor chamber assembly 40 with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer, which is substantially identical to that of the first preferred embodiment except for the distinguishing technical features described below.

The base 41 has two liquid flow channels 413 and two gaseous flow channels 414. Two extension wick layers 47 are disposed in the two liquid flow channels 413, respectively, and then extend for a specific distance. Two ends of the two extension wick layers 47 extend from the liquid flow channels 413 by a predetermined distance and then extend into the first recess 411 and the second recess 412, respectively. The two ends of the two extension wick layers 47 are connected by an extension segment 471.

The first recess 411 and the second recess 412 are in communication with each other by two connection channels 48. The connection channels 48 are each partitioned by a partition board 481 disposed therein to form the two liquid flow channels 413 and the two gaseous flow channels 414.

The other structural features and achievable advantages of the fourth preferred embodiment are substantially identical to those of the first preferred embodiment and thus, for the sake of brevity, are not described herein.

Referring to FIG. 12, the fifth preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is substantially identical to the first preferred embodiment of the present disclosure except for the distinguishing technical features described below. The wick structure in the fifth preferred embodiment illustrated by FIG. 12 dispenses with the first wick layer 13 and the fourth wick layer 16 of FIG. 4. The fifth preferred embodiment of the present disclosure provides a joint vapor chamber assembly 50 with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer. The joint vapor chamber assembly 50 comprises: a base 51 having a first recess 511, a second recess 512, a liquid flow channel 513 and a gaseous flow channel 514 which are in communication with each other; an upper lid 52; an extension wick layer 57; and a wick structure. Two ends of the extension wick layer 57 have two extension segments 571, 572, respectively, and extend into the first recess 511 and the second recess 512, respectively. The wick structure comprises a second wick layer 54 and a third wick layer 55. The other structural features and achievable advantages of the fifth preferred embodiment are substantially identical to those of the first preferred embodiment and thus, for the sake of brevity, are not described herein.

The wick structure in the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 12 has fewer layers than the wick structure in the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 4. In this regard, the wick structure with fewer layers can have any other structure, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The wick structure with more layers can have more wick layers.

Therefore, according to the present disclosure, what contributes to the smooth return of a liquid working fluid to the first recess 111 corresponding in position to a heat-receiving zone, continuous removal of heat from a heat source, speedy heat dissipation and circulation, and enhanced heat dissipation are as follows: the extension wick layer 17 is in contact with at least the first wick layer 13, the second wick layer 14, the third wick layer 15, and the fourth wick layer 16 of the wick structure; and guidance and delivery roles played by the extension segments 171, 172 of the extension wick layer 17. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer, the vapor chambers each having therein a closed space being a vacuum and being filled with a working liquid, the joint vapor chamber assembly comprising: a base comprising a first recess, a second recess, a liquid flow channel and a gaseous flow channel in communication with each other; an upper lid coupled to the base to jointly form the closed space, the closed space including the first recess, the second recess, the liquid flow channel and the gaseous flow channel; a wick structure disposed in the closed space and corresponding in position to the first recess and the second recess; and an extension wick layer formed in the liquid flow channel, with the liquid flow channel partially filled with the extension wick layer to prevent any gas from flowing within the first recess and the second recess via the liquid flow channel, wherein two ends of the extension wick layer extend from the liquid flow channel to come into contact with the wick structure.
 2. The joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer according to claim 1, wherein the liquid flow channel is fully filled with the extension wick layer.
 3. The joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer according to claim 1, wherein two ends of the extension wick layer each have an extension segment, the two extension segments extending into the first recess and the second recess by a predetermined length and not being in contact with an inner wall of the first recess and an inner wall of the second recess but spaced apart therefrom by an appropriate distance, respectively.
 4. The joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer according to claim 3, wherein the two extension segments are formed by extending two ends of the extension wick layer toward the same side.
 5. The joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer according to claim 3, wherein the two extension segments are formed by extending two ends of the extension wick layer toward two different sides, respectively.
 6. The joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer according to claim 1, wherein an end of the extension wick layer has an extension segment, the extension segment extending into the first recess without filling the first recess fully, the extension segment having a main segment portion and a plurality of branch segment portions, the main segment portion being rectangular, with the branch segment portions spaced apart from each other and extending from a side of the main segment portion toward the gaseous flow channel.
 7. The joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer according to claim 1, wherein the base has two liquid flow channels and two gaseous flow channels, with the two extension wick layers disposed in the two liquid flow channels, respectively, whereas at least a portion of each said liquid flow channel is fully filled with a corresponding one of the extension wick layer such that a gaseous working fluid leaving the two gaseous flow channels is prevented from entering the two liquid flow channels, wherein two ends of the two extension wick layers not only extend from the two liquid flow channels by a predetermined distance and extend into the first recess and the second recess, respectively, but are also connected by two extension segments.
 8. The joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer according to claim 7, wherein the first recess and the second recess of the base are in communication with each other by two connection channels, and each said connection channel is partitioned by a partition board therein into a liquid flow channel and a gaseous flow channel, with the two liquid flow channels disposed on opposing inner sides of the two connection channels, respectively, and the two gaseous flow channels disposed on opposing outer sides of the two connection channels, respectively.
 9. The joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer according to claim 1, wherein the first recess, the second recess, the liquid flow channel and the gaseous flow channel are coplanar.
 10. The joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer according to claim 1, wherein the wick structure comprises a first wick layer, a second wick layer, a third wick layer and a fourth wick layer, with the first wick layer formed on the upper lid in such a manner to face the first recess, the second wick layer formed on the upper lid in such a manner to face the second recess, the third wick layer formed on the base and in the first recess, and the fourth wick layer formed on the base and in the second recess.
 11. The joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of raised portions is disposed between the first wick layer, the second wick layer, the third wick layer, and the fourth wick layer and provided in form of solid copper lumps.
 12. The joint vapor chamber assembly with a plurality of vapor chambers connected by an extension wick layer according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of raised portions is disposed between the first wick layer, the second wick layer, the third wick layer, and the fourth wick layer and made from sintered copper powder. 